MRI Brain/Head

Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and head. Contrast agent optional per physician indication.

A brain MRI uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the brain and surrounding structures. Unlike CT scans, MRI does not use ionizing radiation and provides superior soft-tissue contrast, making it the preferred imaging modality for evaluating the brain. The scan captures images in multiple planes — axial, sagittal, and coronal — and can include specialized sequences such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), and gradient echo sequences. These different sequences highlight various tissue characteristics and can reveal subtle changes in brain structure that other imaging methods may miss. A typical brain MRI takes 30–60 minutes, during which you lie still inside the scanner while it captures hundreds of image slices.